Dear SUA Community,
This is the time of year when we celebrate the accomplishments of so many of our students. Friday, May 2, was especially meaningful for the Class of 2025 as we gathered for their May Crowning and Baccalaureate Mass. Stephanie Makris was honored with crowning Mary, accompanied by Katie Ferra-Clemente. We prayed that Mary would continue to guide our students on their journey to become women of faith, integrity, and courage.
The Baccalaureate Mass reminds us that while academic achievement is important, it is our faith, values, and commitment to serving others that define true success. During the Mass, we reflected with deep gratitude on how the Class of 2025 has grown into our Academy Alum—thinkers, leaders, nurturers, and prophets—ready to make a meaningful impact on the world. We are so proud of each of them!
Ten members of the Class of 2025 are graduating as our first cohort of Global Scholars. In collaboration with the Ursuline Education Network (UEN), Saint Ursula Academy offers the Ursuline Global Scholars Certificate to graduating seniors who have demonstrated a strong interest in global citizenship by completing globally focused coursework and engaging in co-curricular activities, leadership, and service experiences that build global competencies.This program began three years ago under the leadership of Rachel Kemper, Senior Director of Service, Equity, and Global Education. It is with great pride that we congratulate our inaugural Global Scholars:
Catherine Barron
Lauren Bower
Heidi Crowther
Molly Fisher
Anna Garver
Norah Hubert
Audra Lyons
Grace O’Toole
Cathryn Schwanekamp
Lily Wissemeier
Last week we held our first Global Scholars Capstone Showcase, where these students presented their projects highlighting how the program shaped their personal and academic journeys. Their capstone work reflected deep understanding and a strong commitment to service, culture, or justice/advocacy. Hearing them speak so articulately and passionately was truly a highlight of the year. The Global Scholars Program is a unique opportunity at SUA. Please reach out to Rachel Kemper if you’d like to learn more.
Global education is a hallmark of Ursuline education, reflecting many of our core values. Through the Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association, our academic goal is for all students to increase their global competencies across disciplines. In its first year of implementation, we made strong progress by defining global competencies at SUA, creating a rubric to guide their integration into coursework, and developing and administering a baseline survey. With this solid foundation in place, we look forward to continued growth as we empower our students with the skills and mindset needed for global vision in an ever-changing world.
Finally, this week is Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week. It is not too late to send a note of appreciation to a teacher or staff member who has made a difference in your daughter’s experience. You can email Mrs. Fischesser (jfischesser@saintursula.org) with a note to be printed—please include “Faculty/Staff Appreciation” in the subject line. You or your daughter may also drop off a note to Mrs. Bacon. Believe me, these messages are truly treasured!
Go Bulldogs!
Kathy